Health

Meet Our Health Department

Susan McVeigh

Health Officer

Vital Record Amendments (changes/corrections) & Marriage license applications By Appointment Only

Please Call 201-646-3965 for requirements and to schedule your appointment.

  • Forms

VitalChek (For Online Orders)

Aplicación Para Registros Civiles

Vital Records Application

Temporary Health License Application

Temporary Facility Reminder

Temp Vendor Fire Prevention Rules

Temp Food Cover For Special Event

Instructions For Temporary Facilities

Pet License Application

Animal Cruelty Materials

Bergen County Animal Shelter Rabies Clinic Information

Stormwater Information

Important Notice About Pet Waste

Important information About Fats, Oils, Grease

Marriage Application

Health Finder – Your federal government guide to reliable health information.

US Department of Agriculture

Federal Food & Drug Administration

Federal Environmental Protection Agency

CDC Health Topics A-Z

Centers For Disease Control (CDC)

NJ State Department of Health & Senior Services

Assisted Living in New Jersey

Find Assisted Living Options Near Me

Community Health Improvement Partnership of Bergen County

Medical Reserve Corps

Flu Season Resources

Pandemic Flu – Individuals and Families Planning

CDC General Influenza Information

Avoiding Mosquitos

Application For Renewal And Notice Of Late License Surcharge

The Health Department has been providing public health services to the residents of Hackensack since the 1900s. The goal that we strive for is to coordinate and assure the preservation, protection, and promotion of good health, well-being, and quality of life for all the residents in our community. We work towards this goal by:

  • Monitoring health status to identify community health problems.
  • Diagnosing and investigating health problems and health hazards in the community. 
  • Informing, educating, and empowering people about health issues. 
  • Mobilizing community partnerships to identify and solve health problems. 
  • Developing policies and plans that support individual and community health efforts. 
  • Enforcing laws and regulations that protect health and ensure safety.
  • Linking people to needed personal health services and assuring preventative care when otherwise unavailable.
  • Assuring a competent public health workforce.
  • Evaluating effectiveness, accessibility, and quality of personal and population-based health services.
  • Examining research for new insights and innovative solutions to health problems.

Marriage Licenses

Animal Bite Reports

Civil Union

Clinic Services

Environmental Health

Pet License

Programs

Temporary Food Vendor Permits

Vital Records

Business Licenses

Marriage Licenses

By Appointment Only

Please Call 201-646-3965

  • Forms

Marriage Application

Application Requirements

Where to Apply:

1. The marriage license application is to be made in the New Jersey municipality in which either party resides and the license is valid throughout the State of New Jersey.

2. If neither applicant is a New Jersey resident, submit the application in the municipality where the marriage ceremony will be performed. In this case, the license is only valid in and may only be used in the issuing municipality.

Who Must Come to Apply: 

1. Applicant A and Applicant B – Both applicants must appear in our office to apply for a Marriage license.

2. Witness – Only one witness, who is over 18 years of age and knows them both.

3. Translators: If either of the applicants or the witness does not speak English you must bring a translator.

What to Bring:

1. Identification and Proof of Age – Acceptable identification and proofs of age are: 
A. For citizens: certified copies of birth certificates. 
B. Citizens by Naturalization: Naturalization certificates. 
C. Non-citizens: valid passports or alien cards. 
D. You must be at least 18 yrs old to apply for a marriage license.

2. Social Security Cards. 

3. Proof of Marital Status – Previously married applicants must show proof of divorce or proof that they are widowed or a widower. Acceptable proofs are a certified copy of the final decree of divorce or a certified copy of the death certificate for the former spouse. 

4. Proof of Residency – Drivers license, utility bill, or tax bill. 

5. Marriage Officiant Information – Applicants should have information about who is going to marry them, where, and when, which includes a mailing address and phone for the officiant. 

6. Fee: $28.00 Money Order, Debit/Credit Card

Three (3) Day Waiting Period:

In New Jersey there is a mandatory three (3) day or 72 hours waiting period from the time that you apply for a license until you can pick it up for use. If you are planning to be married on a particular weekend, the latest that you can apply is the Tuesday before, in order to satisfy the three days (72 hours) by Friday, since we are NOT open on the weekends for the release of marriage licenses.

Application Form: 

Do not sign the marriage application prior to going to the Municipal Registrar. You must sign the application, while under oath, in the presence of the issuing authority

The application form must be completed in full with exact complete information. Names must be completely spelled out, including middle names, no initials. You may not sign the form until after you have taken the oath given by the Registrar at the Health Department. 

Links to the forms appear in the red box above.

Animal Bite Reports

Reporting animal bites that have occurred in Hackensack

Because warm blooded animals, such as cats, dogs, bats, raccoons, skunks and other wildlife, can carry and transmit rabies, animal bites should always be reported to the Health Department.

For bites that occurred in Hackensack, if you are making a report Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm call a Health Department inspector at 201 646-3965.

If you are making a report after normal business hours or on a weekend, call the police department at 201 646-7777.

Reports can be made by telephone or the Animal Bite Report form can be completed and faxed to us at 201 646-3989. 

Reporting Bites in Hackensack
8:30 am to 4:30 pm Monday to Friday
Health Dept. Inspector
Phone: (201) 646-3965
Fax: (201) 646-3989
9:00 am to 4:00 pm Monday – Friday

After Hours or Weekend Police Dept.
Phone: (201) 646-7777

Civil Union

Requirements for entering into a Civil Union

For two people to establish a civil union in New Jersey, they must satisfy all of the following requirements:

A. Not be a party to another civil union, domestic partnership or marriage in this state or that is recognized by this state*;

B. Be of the same sex ; and

C. Be at least 18 years of age, except that applicants under 18 may enter into a civil union with parental consent. Applicants under age 16 must obtain parental consent and have the consent approved in writing by any judge of the Superior Court, Chancery Division, Family Part.

* Same sex couples who meet the above requirements and are registered as domestic partners may enter into a civil union with the same person without terminating their domestic partnership first. If the domestic partnership was registered in New Jersey, it automatically terminates when the civil union is registered. If the domestic partnership was registered in another state, that state’s laws determine the impact on the domestic partnership. A couple that has previously entered into a civil union or a same-sex marriage shall apply for a Reaffirmation of Civil Union License.

Where to apply:

1. You may apply in the New Jersey municipality in which either person resides. The license is valid throughout the state.

2. If neither applicant lives in New Jersey, submit the application in the municipality where the civil union ceremony will be performed. The license is only valid in the issuing municipality.

What you should bring with you when you apply for a Civil Union license:

1. If you are divorced, have had a previous civil union dissolved, domestic partnership terminated or have had a civil union annulled, please bring certified copies of the decree(s) or the civil annulment documents.

2. If your former spouse/civil union or domestic partner is deceased, please bring a certified copy of the death certificate.

3. Citizens must bring a certified copy of your birth certificate or naturalization paper.

4. Non-citizens must bring valid passports or alien cards.

5. Proof of your residency, a photo driver’s license or 2 utility bills with your name & address.

6. Your social security card or social security number.*

7. A witness, 18 years of age or older.

8. The $28 application fee.

*Your social security number is required by law and will be kept confidential.

Any documents in a foreign language must be accompanied by a certified English translation.

Application Form: 

Do not sign the marriage application prior to going to the Municipal Registrar. You must sign the application, while under oath, in the presence of the issuing authority

The application form must be completed in full with exact complete information. Names must be completely spelled out, including middle names, no initials. You may not sign the form until after you have taken the oath given by the Registrar at the Health Department.

After you apply:

There is a 72-hour waiting period before the license is issued. The waiting period begins when the application is filed with the Local Registrar.

The Civil Union license application is valid for six months from the date accepted, unless the Registrar has given prior approval to extend the validity of the application to a maximum of one year.

Only one Civil Union license may be granted from a Civil Union application. If the license expires before being used, a new application must be made and another $28 fee remitted.

The only exception to this requirement is in the case where a civil and religious ceremony are to be performed on the same day. In this case, the Local Registrar will photocopy the Civil Union application, marking one “A” and one “B”, and issue the corresponding Civil Union licenses, marking them “A” and “B” as well. One copy will be used for the religious ceremony and the other for the civil ceremony.

Clinic Services

The Hackensack Health Department provides a variety of preventative clinical services. Following is a list of the clinics and the days that they generally operate. All of our services operate by appointment and while the descriptions provide general information about clinic times and schedules, it is important that persons who wish to take advantage of any of these programs, call for an appointment and to ensure that no changes have been made in the clinic schedule.

Child Health Conference 

The Child Health Conference (CHC) is a well-child service for the children of Hackensack residents, who are infants through five years of age. The services provide free physical examinations, developmental assessments, select screenings, immunizations against vaccine-preventable childhood diseases, and nurse/physician counseling. The CHC is generally operated for the first and third Fridays of each month and the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month. Appointments are necessary.

Health Education Assessment and Referral (HEAR)

The HEAR program is an adult health screening and counseling program where adults have their blood pressure checked, receive a risk assessment for certain chronic diseases and when appropriate, receive referrals to other medical providers. This free service operates on a by-appointment basis. 

STI Clinic

Hackensack partners with the Paterson Department of Health for sexually transmitted infection services. The Paterson STD Prevention Center provides free services to anyone who wants or needs to be examined for a sexually transmitted disease. Services include diagnosis, treatment, and counseling in a confidential setting. Walk-ins and referrals are welcome. Hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, Registration begins at 8:45 am The Clinic is closed on Wednesday. Telephone: 973-321-1277 ext. 2723

Immunization Clinic for School-Aged Children

This immunization clinic provides immunizations against vaccine-preventable diseases for Hackensack resident school-aged children. There is no charge for this service. The school-aged clinics are generally run on the third Wednesday of every month, except July and August. 

WIC Nutrition Program

The WIC program is a supplementary nutrition program for women, infants, and children who are both nutritionally and financially in need. The program is generally held on the first and third Monday of every month, and every Thursday in the Civic Center from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm. Appointments are necessary. Call 973-754-4575 for an appointment.

New Jersey Family Care Insurance 

The New Jersey Family Care provides quality free or low-cost health coverage for uninsured children and teens 18 and younger. Find out if you are eligible today.  

Call 800-701-0710 or go to www.njfamilycare.org
Find out if you are eligible today.

North Hudson Community Action Corporation – Federally Qualified Health Center

North Hudson Community Action Corporation (NHCAC) recognized the need for primary care which led to the creation of the Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC).  The Health Center provides primary health care at eight (8) locations, West New York, Union City, North Bergen, Jersey City, Hoboken, Passaic, and Hackensack, in addition to our mobile health center.  Services include adult medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics/gynecology, family planning, dental, psychiatric, and mental health services. Contact information is as follows: 201-996-2121 or visit our website at http://www.nhcac.org/sites-a-addresses.html.

Bergen Volunteer Medical Initiative

The Bergen Volunteer Medical Initiative is operating a physician’s office staffed by volunteer physicians, nurses and other health care professionals for the purpose of providing free primary care to Bergen County Residents who meet certain income guidelines but have neither medical insurance nor the means to pay for care. Patients will be seen by appointment. For additional information or appointments call: 201-342-2478 or go to our website at  www.bvmi.org.

Health Coverage Info
Phone: (800) 701-0710 Website

Environmental Health

  • Forms & Links

Stormwater Information

Important Notice About Pet Waste

Important information About Fats, Oils, Grease

The Hackensack Health Department Registered Environmental Health Specialists investigate complaints about environmental health hazards. In addition these inspectors investigate complaints concerning the businesses that we regulate which are located in Hackensack. This includes food establishments such as restaurants, grocery stores and delicatessens, personal grooming establishments, such as barber shops, beauty parlors and nail salons, child care facilities, public swimming pools and public spas, pet shops, and kennels nursing homes, hospitals and schools. The Department also investigates complaints about the health related aspects (heat, hot water, insects, lead paint, rodents and garbage) of rental housing. Housing complaints concerning things like broken windows, leaky roofs, and tall grass, are handled by the Department of Building, Housing and Land Use, Property Maintenance division.

Health Department Registered Environmental Health Specialists can be reached Monday through Friday, 8:30 – 9:30 am; 1:00 – 1:30 pm & 3:30 – 4:30 pm. Complaints may also be mailed to the following address: 

Hackensack Department of Health 
215 State Street
Hackensack, New Jersey 07601-5582
Attention: Sanitary Inspectors

Complaints about environmental health hazards in other communities are investigated by the health department of the municipality where the problem is located. Click here for a directory of New Jersey local health departments.

Mail Complaints to:
Hackensack Department of Health
215 State Street
Hackensack, New Jersey 07601-5582
Attention: Sanitary Inspectors

Pet License

Pet License Fees Over $10.00

Can Be Paid By Check Or Money Order Only.

No Cash, Debit Card Or Credit Card Accepted.

  • Forms & Links

Pet License Application

Animal Cruelty Materials

Bergen County Animal Shelter Rabies Clinic Information

Important Notice About Pet Waste

Why should I license my pet?

Pet licensing is part of our municipal rabies control program. Pet licensing ensures that pets have up to date rabies immunizations, which protects your family and pets against rabies. Licensing encourages pet population control, through the low cost spay and neuter program and license discounts for spayed or neutered pets. Licensing also has the added benefit of providing an easy way of identifying lost pets so they can be quickly returned to their proper owners. 

When do I have to license my cat or dog?

Pets are required to get a license when they are old enough to get a rabies vaccination. This is generally when they are three months of age or older. 

How often must licenses be renewed?

Licenses must be renewed every year before the end of January. 

What information must be included with my application?

Proof of you pet’s current rabies immunization from your veterinarian. State Health Department policy requires the duration of your pet’s rabies immunization to be concurrent with the license year (i.e. must not expire before the end of the license year). Bergen County Animal Shelter Rabies Clinic Information.

What are the fees?

First cat or dog license or renewals made before January 31
* with proof of Spay/neuter…….$8.00
* not spayed/neutered…………..$11.00

Late renewals after January 31 or licensing after a notice of violation or summons for non license:
* with proof of spay/neuter… $12.00
* not spayed/neuter……………$15.00

If you need more information please call (201) 646-3965 Option 3.

Applications may be submitted to us through the mail to the following address:

Hackensack Health Department
215 State Street
Hackensack, New Jersey 07601-5582
Attn: Pet Licensing

Programs

Environmental Health

1. Monitoring and enforcement of all applicable federal, state, and local environmental health laws and regulations, as they apply to bathing places, youth camps, food surveillance, housing, insect and rodent infestations, tobacco products age of sale restrictions, potable water, and air, noise, and stream pollution control.

2. Complaint investigation of all environmental health complaints.

Health EducationThe provision of a variety of planned education programs by professional health educators to any interested resident, civic, service or professional group.

Public Health Nursing 

1. Provision of a free child health conference service for infants and pre-school children which includes physical exams, immunizations against childhood diseases, and nurse and physician counseling.

2. Provision of lead poisoning control services including free screening of Hackensack children one year through five years of age.

3. Provision of free adult health counseling and risk factor screening adults for high blood pressure and other select conditions.

4. Provision of school nursing services which includes free dental care for dentally indigent school-aged children in Hackensack.

5. Provision of a W.I.C. nutritional program which is a program that provides free nutritional counseling and nutrition supplements for pregnant or breast feeding women, infants and children up to five (5) years of age. For appointments or further information call (800) 427-3244.

Vital Statistics

The Hackensack Bureau of Vital Statistics Maintains records of births, marriages and deaths that have occurred in Hackensack and issues marriages licenses.

1. Registration as permanent records all births, deaths and marriages that occur in Hackensack.

2. Issue marriage licenses. For instructions and application Click Here

3. Issue certified copies of birth, death or marriage records that are on file in our office.

4. For certified copy of vital record application and instructions Click Here

For further information call (201) 646-3965, 3966, 3967 & 3995 during our regular office hours, Monday through Friday 9:00AM to 4:00PM.

For 24 hour per day recorded information: 
call (201) 646-3995

Children’s Aid and Family Services Information

Online Applications

 

DirectoryPhone Number
Animal & Pet Related Services
Animal Cruelty Complaints800 582-5979
Pet Adoption201 229-4600
Pet Licensing201 646-3967
Rabies / Animal Bite NJ Hotline800 222-1222 
Rabies Vaccination Clinic201 229-4600
Disease related services
AIDS Information800 624-2377
AIDS Information Spanish800 344-7432
AIDS Free Anonymous Testing & Counseling201 336-3350
Alcohol Abuse/Addiction Information800 238-2333
Alzheimers Information800 424-2494
Cancer Information800 4CANCER
Cocaine Abuse Information800 347-8998
Heart Line Am Heart Asso800 242-8721
Lyme Disease800 232-4636
New Jersey Family Care Insurance 800 701-0710 
Poison Control Hotline800 222-1222
Quit Smoking Information – NJ Quitline866 657-8677
Moms Quit Connection888-545-5191
Sexually Transmitted Disease Clinic973-321-1277 ext. 2723
Health and Environmental Related Complaint Services
Environmental Action Hotline NJDEP (24hr)877 927-6337
Hackensack Health Department201 646-3965
Health Care Facilities Complaints (NJ)800 792-9770
Occupational Health (OSHA)201 288-1700
Miscellaneous
Agricultural Extension Sercvice201 336-6788
Radon Hot Line800 648-0394
United Water Resources (Water)800 422-5987
Social Services
Adult Protective Services201 368-4300
Adult Protective Services877 652-2873
Dept. of Children & Family Services (formerly DYFS)201 489-1140
Planned Parenthood201 336-7420
Meals on Wheels201 489-9333
RSVP Retired Senior Volunteers800 772-1213
Social Security201 368-4200 
Social Services (Bergen County)201 368-4368
WIC Nutrition Program973 754-4575

Temporary Food Vendor Permits

  • Forms & Links

Temporary Health License Application

Temporary Facility Reminder

Temp Vendor Fire Prevention Rules

Temp Food Cover For Special Event

Instructions For Temporary Facilities

Above are forms and materials that potential food vendors can use to apply for temporary food establishment licenses for use during special events that will be held in Hackensack. (Please note that large special events which are held on public / municipally owned property, require the approval of the Hackensack City Council).

Vendor applications should be accompanied with a written description of their proposed operation. The description should include a menu and or list of all food items that are proposed for sale, where this food will be purchased, and a description of where and how the food will be prepared and served.

Potentially hazardous foods (those that are in whole or in part made from meat, fish, milk products or eggs) which require advanced preparation before cooking and or serving, may not be prepared at home. All vendors should read and must follow Chapter 8:24 which can be found here.

Applications must be accompanied with a letter from the event sponsor which authorizes the temporary food establishment license applicant to participate in the event. Applications to participate in events that will be held in public parks or on other public property must also provide a copy of the Hackensack Recreation Department approved park permit for the scheduled date.

The fee for a temporary food establishment license is $25.00 per vendor booth, cart, table, etc. Checks should be made payable to the City of Hackensack.

Temporary food establishment license applications should be submitted to the Health Department at least two weeks prior to the date of the event, to allow time for processing. Vendors, who have made a license application, will receive a pre-operational sanitary inspection and their license, immediately prior to the event.

Vital Records

  • Forms & Links

VitalChek (For Online Orders)

Aplicación Para Registros Civiles

Vital Records Application

Fees and Payment:

Effective 1/10/2005, the fee for a certified copy of a record is $15.00 for one copy and $10.00 for each additional copy of the same record purchased at this time. Money orders must be made payable to the City of Hackensack. Requests on personal checks delay mailing by 30 days from the day your request it received.

The Hackensack Health Department accepts credit cards and debit cards through the Vital Chek system. There will be an additional $2.50 charge for credit card and debit card transactions through the Vital Check system. The additional charge for transactions through Vital Chek is subject to change at any time at the discretion of Vital Chek. Vital Chek can be reached through its website, www.vitalchek.com. All major credit cards are accepted, including American Express®, Discover®, MasterCard® or Visa®.

Vital Record Application Instructions:

Hackensack maintains records of births, marriages, deaths, fetal deaths, civil union and domestic partnerships that have occurred in Hackensack. If you are looking for a vital record for an event that did not occur in Hackensack, go to the CDC web site here. If you need a record for an event that did occur in Hackensack, read on. Certified copies of Hackensack vital records may be purchased by mail, over the counter in our office or through the internet at http://www.vitalchek.com. Effective 03/09/2021 Vital records purchased through the internet/online will be an additional $9.00 processing fee charge for credit card and debit card transactions through the Vital Chek system. Certified copies of vital records may only be obtained by “qualified applicants.”

The Hackensack Health Department accepts credit cards and debit cards through the VitalChek system. There will be an additional $2.50 charge for credit card and debit card transactions through the Vital Check system. The additional charge for transactions through VitalChek is subject to change at any time at the discretion of VitalChek. VitalChek can be reached through its website, www.vitalchek.com. All major credit cards are accepted, including American Express®, Discover®, MasterCard® or Visa®.

Who Are Qualified Applicants?

Births: To qualify for a certified copy of a birth record the applicant must be the subject of the record, the record subject’s parent, current spouse of the subject, child of the subject, grandchild of the subject, brother or sister of the subject, legal guardian of the subject or authorized legal representative of the subject. 

Civil Unions & Marriages: To qualify for a certified copy of a civil union or marriage record the applicant must be one of the persons listed on the record, the record subject’s parents, children of the subjects, grandchildren of the subjects, brother or sister of the subjects, legal guardian of the subject or authorized legal representative of the subjects. 

Deaths: To qualify for a certified copy of a death record the applicant must be the surviving spouse of the subject on the record, subject’s parents, child of the subject, grandchild of the subject, brother or sister of the subject, legal guardian of the subject or authorized legal representative of the subject.

Identification: Vital record applications must be completed in full and submitted with acceptable identification. A government issued photo ID is preferred. Identification must include the address of the applicant. Mail requests will only be sent to a shipping address that is the same as the address that is listed on the identification presented. Two forms of identification will be accepted in lieu of a government issued photo identification with address. Both forms must show the applicants address, which must be the same as the return address for mail requests. Examples of acceptable non-photo identification are non-photo driver’s license, motor vehicle registration card, motor vehicle insurance card, voter registration card, utility bills, or county identification card, Please note that in instances where the applicant’s relationship to the subject of the record is not demonstrated by information on the record being requested, additional documentation of that relationship, such as a certified copy of a certificate of marriage, is required and should be submitted with the application. All documents used for identification must be current and not expired. If bills are used, they should not be more than 90 days old. Identifications purchased from private non-governmental companies are not acceptable for vital record transactions.

Application: Application forms are available at our office and on our web site. All applicable sections of the application must be fully completed. Complete the section of the application form that applies to the type of record that you are requesting. When entering names, it is important that you include exact information, full dates and full and complete legal names. Middle names must be completely spelled out, with no use of initials.

Vital Record Amendments & Marriage License Applications By Appointment Only

Please Call 201-646-3965 for requirements and to schedule your appointment.